Dirigible balloon



May 6 1924.

J. TWARDUS DIRIGIBLE BALLOON 2 Sheds-Shem 1 Filed June 10 1920 I N VEN TOR. Wm CZWMLJ May a, 1924. 1,493,298

' J. TWARDUS DIRIGIBLE BALLOON Filed June 10 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

JOHN T-WARDUS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

DIRIGIBLE BALLOON.

Application filed June 10, 1920. $eria1 No. 387,943.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN TWARDUs, a subect of the Government of Poland, and a resident of Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented new and Improved Dirigible Balloons, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the class of devices above named and an object of my invention, among others, is to provide a balloon with means for utilizing the lifting medium to the fullest extent; to provide means for floating the balloon in the air with the use of a minimum amount of said lifting medium; to provide means auxiliary to said lifting medium for determining the elevation of said balloon; to provide means that will permit easy and safe landing of the balloon under deflated conditions of the bag;

to provide for extreme rigidity in the struc-' ture as a whole; and further to provide a structure having other and various uses as will appear from the following description. A structure embodyingmy invention and in the construction and use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a balloon or airship embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the same. Figure 3 (Sheet II) is a view in front elevation, parts beyond being omitted.

Figure 4 is a detail top view of a portion of the passenger car and ofone rigid wing or plane illustrating the manner of attaching an elevating plane thereto, and the seats for the passengers, together withthe ladder to provide entrance to said car and the ladder leading therefrom to the pontoons.

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of that part of the structure shown in Figure t. Figure 6 shows a detail top view illustrating the construction and operation of the cylinders for contractingthe gas bag.

Figure 6 is a detail end view of said cylinders.

Figure 6" is a view in cross section through the frame supporting said cylinders.

Figure 7 shows a detail top viewof the drums for stretching the bag.

Figure 7' is a detail VIEW: illustrating the method of attaching the stretching cord to said drum.

Figure 7 is a detail end view of said drums.

Figure 8 shows a detail side view, scale enlarged, of the connectors for contracting the gas bag.

Flgure 8 is a detail end sectional view of said connectors.

Figure 9 is a detail view, scale enlarged,

illustrating the manner of joiningtthe'connectors.

Figure 9 is a detail view illustrating the construction of the stufiing boxes throu h which the contractors-pass from within tie gas bag.

Figure 9 illustrates the thin plates comprising a portion of the stuffing box structure.

Figure 10 is a detail view, scale enlarged, illustratin the wrapping about the contractors within said stuffing boxes.

Figure 11 is a side view of the steering mechanism and the elevating plane. operating mechanism.

Figure 11 is a front view of said mecha- IllSIIl.

Figure 11 is a top view of said mechanism.

Figure 11 is a detail view showing the construction of a part of such mechanism.

Figure li is another detail showing the construction of such mechanism.

Figure 12 is a detail view illustrating the manner of suspending the hull from the gas illustrating the positioning strutsand their connection with the Wire suspension braces and with the primary and yieldlng tension supports.

Figure 14 is a top view ofthe parts shown in Figure 14.

Figure 15 is adetail top view, scale enlarged, illustrating the yielding lifting mechanism for the elevating bi-planes.

Figure 15 is a detail side view of said lifting mechanism.

Figure 16 is an end view of that part of the structure illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure "17 is a side view, scale enlarged,

illustrating the traction wheels and their manner of attachment to the pontoons.

Figure 17 is an end view of the same.

Figure 18 is a View, still further enlarged, illustrating the construction of said traction wheels.

Figure 19 is a view, still further enlarged, illustrating the construction of said wheels. Figure 20 (Sheet 1) is a diagrammatic View illustrating the arrangement and disposition of the several cords for operating different mechanism in the structure, this view illustrating the pontoons and planes atthe afterpart of the structure.

Figure 21 is a detail view illustrating the manner of mounting the rudders.

Figure 22 is a detail face view, scale enlarged, illustrating the manner of connecting the fins to the sides of the balloon structure.

Figure 22 is 'a sectional illustrating said parts.

Figure 23 is a sectional view illustrating the construction of the pontoons located at the ends of the lowermost planes or wings.

Figure 23 is another sectional view, scale reduced from the scale of Figure 23, illustrating said parts.

view further parts.

While one purpose of the invention is to provide a structure that shall be only partially supported by gas within the bag, yet there are various features of invention embodied in the structure herein illustrated and described that are applicable to and may be embodied in flying apparatus of various types.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 5 indicates a gas bag, that .is streamline shape, and that is composed of three sections disposed lengthwise of the bag, the forward section 6 being pointed and terminating in a nose at its front and being round in cross .section, the mid-section 7 being cylindrical in shape and the rear section 8 being ellipsoidal in shape with its axis bent down so that the bottom of the bag extends in a straight line from the rear part of the forward section to the rear end of the bag. A contraction web 9, comprisinga narrow strip of canvas is attached to or depends from the top of the inside of the bag and extends throughout its length, said web being engrailed at portions of its lower edge, the indented parts having pockets 10 7 within which secondary distributors-comprising short cords 11 disposed in small curves are secured, the ends of adjacent distributors 11 being twisted together to form connectors 12 (see Figure 8) between the secondary distributors and main distributors 13, each of the latter of which comprises a cord disposed in the form of an arch extending substantially the whole length of Figure 23 is a side view illustrating said messes one of the sections of the bag, as shown in dotted outline in Figure 1 of the drawings, the connectors being secured to the main distributors in any suitable manner, as by tying, all of these distributors being for the purpose of distributing a pulling force appiied at the angles of the main distributors, in a manner to be hereinafter described. The upper part of each of the arches comprising the main distributors meets the lower-edge of the contraction web, that at these points, is formed into pockets of considerable length and each of a shape corresponding to the shape of the arch that is to be secured in said pocket. Each main distributor meets at each of its ends an adjoining distributor and one of the longer connectors, these parts comprising three ends that are secured together in any suitable manner, and as shown in Figure 9, preferably to form a loop to receive a contractor that is secured therein. There are four of these contractors, a forward contractor 14, a rear contractor 15, and two central contractors 16 and 17, each of which extends through the bottom of the gas-bag to an accessible position where they may be operated by devices to be hereinafter described. Each of the openings through the gas-bag is made airtight by a stufling box 18, (see Figure 9) preferably of metal, and secured at its lower end, as by soldering, to a clamp plate 19 having rounded edges and attached as by means of screw bolts and nuts to a cooperating clamp plate 20, said bolts being secured to the plate 19, as by means of solder,

to render the parts gas tight. The gas bag 5 is securely clamped all around the edge of each of the openings between said clamp plates, the lower one of which is formed with a recessed hub 21 for attachment to a top of said packing, and the whole. being compressed tightly within'the stuffing box by means of a gland projecting from the inside of a screw cap 25, in a manner that will be readily understood. Said thin plates are each formed in halves to facilitate their.

operation and the cord, especially as to that part passing through the stufling box, should be smooth to enable its movement within said box and also to render the latter gastight. I

Fins 26 project laterally from opposite mamas sides of the bag atabout the vertical center and extending lengthwise thereof along its central section and onto a portion of each of its end sections. These fins are formed of wide strips of canvas, their outer edges being shaped on indented curved lines and bound as by means of a cord sewed into a pocket'along each edge. The extreme points 27 of these fins are secured to vertically positioned frames, in the structure shown herein there being four of these points and frames, the latter resting upon rigid planes and being held and operated as by means of stays 28 to be hereinafter described.

The hull 29 is suspended from the bottom of the gas bag and extends for substantially its whole length along the center thereof. It is a frame construction, (see Figure 16) substantially rectangular in form in cross section and comprises longrons 30 at each of the four corners with cross pieces 31 and uprights 32 arranged in sets and disposed more or less regularly at intervals along the longrons and secured thereto in any suitable manner. The parts of the frame at. the forward and rearward ends of the hull may be wire braced diagonally or otherwise strengthened in any suitable manner, common to structures of this class. The central portion of the hull, constituting the passen- 'er car, will be built stronger than the ends by the employment of braces and struts in a manner to provide a passageway along thecar, as herein shown in Figure 16 upper and lower braces 33 and 34 being secured to the cross pieces and uprights of each of the rectangular frames, the lower ends of the latter being set back from the crosswise center of the frame a distance sufficient to provide a passage. Two upright struts 35 defining the sides of the passageway extend from the bottom of the braces 34, in each of said frames upwardly to a point where they are secured to thebraces 33 and diagonally arrangsd struts 36'extend from the braces 33 at t eir points of connection with theupright struts into the angles between the cross pieces and uprights at the upper corners of the frame.

The means for suspending the hull from the gas bag and for securely positioning it with respect to said bag comprises posit1oning struts 37 (see Figures 3 and 12) pivotalof the joints of the crosspieces and uprights 3132, and extending in opposite directions laterally from the hull for its entire length. The outer ends of these struts are connected with the bottom longrons at the joints of the lower cross pieces and uprights by wire suspension braces 38, and the manner of arranging these connections and of attaching,

them to the gas bag forms an important feature of my invention, this being as follows:

Underneath the bag, and extending thereyielding tension supports 40.

around, on a line passing through the points where the tangents of the transverse circles formed by the inflated bag incline at angles of about forty-five degrees to the perpendicular, are arranged primary supports 39 for (See Figure 13). Said primary supports comprise bends at the intersection of small upwardly extending curves into which a cord 41 extending around the bag on its under surface is formed, and as clearly shown in Figure l of the drawings, this arrangement coneentrating all vertical lifting forces at said primary supports, thereby distributing the stresses on the gas bag uniformly all around the bottom thereof. The yielding tension supports 40 comprise loops formed in a cord 42 extending in a straight line around the under surface of the bag under and close to the cord forming the curves 41, th s cord 42 running loosely through a continuous pocket 43 comprising a folded strip securely fastened at its upper edge to the bag by stitching and cementing, said supporting loops 40 projecting outwardly through openings 45 formed at regular interval along the pocket 43, said loops resting. within and being supported by the bends or supports 39. The loops 40 are secured tightly in slots in the outer ends of the positioning struts 37, and the upper ends of the Wire suspension braces 38, hereinbefore referred to, are securely fastened within said loops. Each of the loops 40 is subjected to two opposite pulling forces, one by the primary support in the cord 41 in an upwardly direction and the other by the braces 38 in a downwardly direction, (see Figure 14) this developing stresses in the cord 42 comprising the yielding tension support 40 all around the bag proportional to the lifting power of gas within the bag and independently of gas pressure therein.

I make use of the naturally low pressure of the gas in the lower part of the bag by elevating this lower part and holding 1t in this raised positionby the stiffening or positioning struts 37 and above the natural cross sectional curve of the inflated bag (see Y ly secured to the upper longrons at each sistance than would otherwise be the-case.

Further than this the bottom is developed into a, substantially flat surface that is valuable as a resistance to downward move ment of the entire structure, and also as a lifting surface to promote elevating action.

downwardly in the form of two small cabins 79. Both of said extensions 79 are constructed as integral, inseparable parts of the hull by means of prolonged vertical members extended downwardly across the lower longrons of the hull, as shown in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 16 of the drawing, said structure also including diagonal stiffening members, thereby making a strong, stiff construction of said hull and extensions. Both of said extensions are substantially of equal dimensions and shape, preferably rounded in the front and with the bottom of each elevated toward the front and serving an additional purpose as pilot houses, having unobstructed view all around. These extensions also serve as a basis for the means for supporting the motors, by impartingrigidity to the wings hereinafter described. Said extensions also serve as points of support of the whole elongated structure to keep it above ground and above water in a satisfactory manner as to its lengthwise balance; As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings the lower parts of said extensions are made watertight in any suitable manner so that they will float on Water as a substitute for pontoons.

Traction wheels 80 are mounted,one under each pontoon, and preferably under an imaginary line connecting the gravity centers of the motors, said wheels being each mounted between'supporting bars 81 (see Figure 17) extending lengthwise along the center of the bottom of the pontoon. To secure rigidity of these structures to withstand shock upon said wheels when alighting I provide braces 82 secured to and extending from the bars 81 diagonally upward in opposite directions from the sides of each pontoon close to vertical pontoon supports 83 (see Figure 1.6), said braces being securely fastened to both spars of the lowest rigid plane or wing 54 and substantially under the vertical axis of the motor above them. Ladders 4.4 for the pilot rest upon the bars 81 and extend to openings in the bottom of the passengerTar. The wheels 80 project into the pontoons within which they are covered by hoods 85 made watertight and arranged to provide a lower step at the bottom of a ladder. Each of said supporting wheels is of the suspension type and is made watertight as follows: Each wheel is supported to rotate on an axle 86 in hearings on the bars 81, flanges 87 being rigidly secured to the axle and spaced to receive the wheel between them. Each wheel comprises two spoke plates 88 of ordinary construction with the usual spokes for supporting the rim, and outside of each spoke plate is located a metal ring 89 free to rotate on the axle but held in close contact with the adjacent flange 87 by a solid rubber ring 90; A flat rubber. ring 91 is formed with meaeee 89, and a cover 92 is tightly cemented or.

otherwise secured to the ring 91 and the rubber tire on each side of the wheel.

The means for operating the cords or other flexible supports comprises the contractors at the forward and stern part of the balloon, and as they are similar in construction it will be understood that a description of one applies equally to the other. The ends of the several contractors 14, 15, 16 and 17 extend downwardly through holes in the recessed hubs 21, cross pieces 31 and plates on the bottoms of said cross pieces. Bolts with their heads located in the recesses in the hubs 21 secure the stufiing box structures tightly in place, said bolts also securing the plates on the bottoms of the cross pieces, which plates sustain brackets 553 rotatably supporting sheaves 52, said contractors, after passing through the holes above described, extending about the sheaves 52 and along the hub to a location near the center of the passenger car, at which point they are secured to contracting cylinders, there being one cylinder for the contractors from the forward part of the bag and one cylinder for the contractors from the rearward part of the bag. Each of these cylinders has a large section 46 and a small section 47, (see Figure 6) the former to receive the contractors that operate the midsections of the bag, and the latter to receive the'contractors that operate the extreme sections of the bag. This causes the cords operating the extreme and smaller sections of the bag to be wound on the cylinders when they are turned more slowly than the winding of the cords operating the mid andlarger sections of the bag, with a result that as one cylinder is turned to operate the cords to contract the bag, such contraction will take place evenly along the sections of the bag from the front to the rear of the sections operated by that cylinder and along the whole bag when both cylinders are operated.

The above mentioned word evenly pertaining to contraction, interpreted precisely means that depression of the gas-bag after such contraction. will be in proportion to the ratio of its diameters, because the larger and smaller sections of both cylinders vary in diameter accordingly.

For obvious technical reasons, it can be readily understood that withan increased size of gas-bag the number of varying sections on each cylinder and corresponding contractors, also parabola curved distributors, must be so increasedas to meet the increased resisting forces in a proper way thereby avoiding concentration. of too big stresses in the material. 1

The cylinders are all supportedby a sinmesses gle frame 48 attached to and depending from upper cross pieces 31 of the hull frame. These cylinders may be turned in any suitable manner, as herein shown a worm wheel on each cylinder meshing with a worm on a shaft 49 having a handle 50, this construction holding the cylinders from. turning movement at any point to which they may have been turned. By erating the cylinders the top of the gas iiag may be pulled inwardly, thereby decreasing the volume of the bag and also increasing the pressure therein, and viceversa. By pulling in one part of the bag more'than another, the gas may be shifted to a degree from one end of the bag to another for the purpose of balancing the structure, or for the purpose of inclining it for other reasons.

The pulling forces and strains on the small distributors 11 and on the large distributors 13, as well as such strains upon the primary supports 39- of curved cord 41, are distributed evenly over the entire surface of the bag, that resists such forces, by arranging such distributors and supports in parabola, that is, catenary, curves of greater or lesser degrees, said distributors and supports thus being arranged in a form to se-- cure the greatest advantages in the transmission of such strains and forces.

The passenger car may occupy such portion of the hull as may be desired, in the structure herein shown such car occupies the mid section 7 of the ballon and extends for a short distance on to each of the sections 6 and 8. Extending laterally from each side of this car, at or near its ends and secured to the longrons thereof, I provide rigid wings or planes 5455 that, next to the car, are in the form of bi-planes and that bear the nacelle struts of motors 56, preferably four in -=number. Lifting or elevating bi-planes 57 (see Figures 4 and are pivotally attached to the rear spars of said wings, in position to receive the blast from the propellers 58, in the preferred form of' construction, the upper and lower members of the elevating planes being secured respectively to the upper and lower sparsof said wings, the members of each pair of elevating planes being connected by two plane elevating struts 62 pivotally secured thereto. Outside of the nacelle struts for the motors are arranged inter-plane struts 59 forming part of a support for a third plane 60 on each side of the car, supported above and upon the plane 55, as'by struts 61. These struts divide the planes into sections, and the lower plane is, at each end, shorter than the plane above it by about the length of one of said sections. At the four points of pivotal connection of each elevating bi-plane with the rigid plane supporting it, and on top of the spars of said rigid planes, are secured lifting springs 63 (see Figure 15) connected with the elevating planes in a manner to hold them in raised positions. In the structure as herein shown these springs are inclosed within housings with a lifting rod 64 attached to the free end of each spring and extending therethrough to a post 65 rigidly secured'to the spars and ribs of each elevating plane (see Figure 15) Elevating plane actuators comprising cords 66 extend from the points of connect-ion of the struts. 62 diagonally downward around sheaves 67 68 (see Figure 20) supported on the rear spars of the lowest rigid wing or plane, said cords being joined at a point after passing said sheaves into a single cord that passes over sheaves 6970 to a pulley 71, this description applying to each pair of elevating planes. The pulleys 71 are mounted on an actuating bar 72 to be hereafter described.

Each member'73 of a pair of rudders is pivotally secured to the hull, one member on each side thereof and at its forward part, and another pair of rudders is secured at the rearward part of the hull in a similar manner. Each of these four rudders is pivotally mounted on a rudder frame 7 4: preferably of steel tubing bent from a single piece of metal (see Figure 21) attached at its .front ends to the upper and lower longrons of the hull, thereby forming, with the vertical wooden members, connecting both longrons, a form of trapezium, wire braced diagonally between its members thereby comprising a very stiff structure in vertical planes, said structure being wire braced on both sides to the longrons to retain it perpendicular to the hull. A rudder is preferably attached to the shorter upright of each of said frames, the outer upright being encased in the body of said rudder on one side on the median vertical line thereof. The centers of the two horizontal wooden rudder members are reinforced by extensions of metal hinges encircling said upright and secured to both sides of said wooden member. The rudders are each pivotally attached along their vertical centers to the outer members of said rudder frames and each rudder of a pair is connected to the'other rudder of said pair on one side of its vertical axis by a cord passing across and through the hull, said cord being preferably attached 1 back of said axis as tothe forward pair of rudders and forward of said axis as to the rearward pair of rudders, and at corresponding points on the other side of the axis of each rudder in each pair steering cords 75 (see Figure 2) are attached, said cords for the stern pair of rudders extending forwardly over sheaves 7 67778 and 99, and from the latter backwardly to the actuating bar 72 hereinbefore referred to and to the opposite ends of which bar said cords are secured (see Figure 20). Theactuating means for the forward pair of rudders a in each case a supporting post 93 'rotatably mounted at its lower end and secured to the bottom of the pontoon in which it is located and also rotatably supported at its upper end by*a bracing frame 94 embodying two legs secured at their lower ends to the bottom of the pontoon and having a bearing for said post at their upper ends. A biplane operating drum 95 is rotatably mounted in a: drum-bearing frame 96 secured to the upper end of the post 93, a steering wheel 97 secured to the drum serving as a means for operating it. The actuating bar 72 hereinbefore referred to is secured to the lower end of the post 93, the iulleys 71, alsohereinbefore referred to, eing rotatably mounted on said bar, and the elevating cords 66, that at this point each combine the two strands secured to the elevating planes, pass about the pulleys 71 in a'horizontal direction and then change direction as they pass about sheaves 98 rotatably mounted on the post 93. After passing the sheaves 98 these two strands are combined into a single strand that now includes the four actuating cords 66 hereinbefo're mentioned extending from the two pairs of elevating bi-planes that are in lateral alignment on opposite sides of the hull. This now single cord is secured to the drum 95 that may be rotated to wind or unwind the elevating cord and thus simultaneously operate said elevating bi-planes to the same degree to cause such movement of the balloon as may be desired.

Ashereinbef-ore stated the steerin 75 are attached to the ends of the ar 72,

a and the operation of steering the balloon lowing manner: The end sofsaid bars may be shaped to receive the feet of the pilot,.

and, assuming o eration of the steering apparatus in the orwardpontoon, when one end of said bar, say its right hand end, is pushed forward, the forward rudder will be 7. moved to cause the forward end of the balloon to turn to the left (see Figure 2, noting that this is a bottom view and that the terms now used refer to the balloon in its upright position). This movement of the right cords i ieaees hand end of said bar forward will move the pulley 71 at that end of the bar forward and the pulley at the opposite end o f said bar backward, and a pull will bee xerted'upon the right handelevating plane actuating cord, and the other of said cords will be slackened, and the right hand bi-plane will be depressed and the left hand bi-plane will be elevated, and this will cause the right hand side of the forward end of the balloonto be raised. A similar operation of the actuating bar 72 in the ontoon at the rear will operate the rudd drs and elevating planes at the rear to co-act with those at the forward end of the structure as just described to turn it to the left, but the direction of inclination of the rudders will of ailerons, asnabove described, will not interfere with their use as elevating planes, as the turning of the wheels 97 will cause operatic-n of said planes for elevating purposes irrespective of the relative positions of said planes that may have been changed by the operation of the bar 72.

The vertically positioned frames 100 hereinbeforte referred to and to which the extreme points 27 ofthe fins 26 are secured, are preferably of triangular shape and are mounted on' their bases for swinging movement, one on top of each of the third or top planes 60, the upper end or point of each-0f these stretching frames 100 being secured to one of said points 27, and the stays 28, hereinbefore referred to, being-also each secured to the upper end of one of said frames. Each of said stays extends downwardly to the plane on which its frame is supported, to sheaves 101*102, and along the front spar of one of the center rigid planes 55 to a sheave 103 within the passenger car (see Figure 20). After passing said sheaves, 103 the two cords from stretching frames in-lateral alignment on the structure are joined into a single cord that may now be termeda stretching cord 104 that extends along the car, one from the front and one from the rear, to a stretching drum 105 located preferably at about the center of the length of said car and nearthe contracting cylinders. Said stretching cords are secured to opposite sides of said drum, as within grooves in a center dividing ring 106 (see Figure 7). This drum is supported in a frame secured to the underside of upper cross pieces of the hull and they have worm wheels meshing with WOIIHS 107 on shafts operated as by means of handles 108. When these handles are operated to turn the drums in one direction the four triangularly shaped frames will be pulled outwardly from the gas bag, stretching the latter transversely in opp0-. site directions on both sides, thus compressing the gas within the bag. This operation is of advantage not only to increase or decrease the size of the bag and the chamber therein but it also enables said bag to be always maintained symmetrically in the center axis of the whole structure. This apparatus also enables the bag to be always kept stifl and rigid, and when the sides of the bag are pulled outwardly the area of lifting surface is increased and the whole comprises a material element of safety.

At each end of each of the lower planes or wings 54: are attached small pontoon floats 109 (see Figure 3) made from vulcanized fabric and adapted to be inflated in any suitable manner. These pontoons are strengthened and stiffened on top as by wooden bars 110 (see Figure 23)." These bars have metallic fittings 111 to which vertical struts 112, one at each end of each pontoon, is secured, the upper ends of these struts being secured to front spars of the lower wings or planes 54, said struts being suitably wire braced to said spars and to each other. On the bottom of each of saidpontoons is secured another wooden bar 113 that projects beyond the end of the pontoon as a means for protecting it from injury when making a landing or when alighting on the water, and the compressed air in these pontoons provides a good shock absorber whenever the ends of the lower planes may strike an object.

Entrance to the passenger car is provided through a passageway in the bottom of the hull as by means of a ladder 84 (see Figure 5) pivotally attached to a bottom cross piece of the hull and constructed, when raised, to close said passageway.

Doors 11f cl osing openings in the sides of the passenger car are provided as a means of access to the motors for attention thereto.

A. most important feature of my invention resides in the construction and positioning of the elevating bi-planes whereby they are exposed directly to the blast of air currents created by the propellers, said planes, when inclined downwardly, arresting backward flow of the air currents and thereby developing such currents into a lifting power. The combined dynamical lifting power of the elevating bi-planes when inclined to a proper degree and that "of the rigid planes operating under speed of the structure suflicient to cause it to rise enables it to be constructed much heavier than the air, the gas bag merely serving to lessen or counteract the effect of weight to such extent as may be desired, and this may he graduated as circumstances may require. The rate of movement of the structure may also be regulated by use of the elevating bi-planes that may be inclined to a degree to suit the speed, it being noted that the more said planes are dipped the slower may be the speed, as said planes will act as a force to elevate the structure. By graduating the amount of inclination of said lifting bi-planes at one end of the structure with reference to those at the other end ascent or descent ofthe structure may be regulated.

No means for inflating the bag have been shown in the drawings as it will be understood that any Well known means for doing this may be provided.

It will be noted that the means for changing the size of the bag is of much value as it enables such size to be regulated to meet the conditions of the gas within the bag such size being reduced when the gas contracts and vice-versa when the gas expands.

vI claim 1. A flying structure comprising a streamline shaped inflatable bag, a long rectangular hull tightly secured to the underside of said bag, and pressing against .it when the bag is inflated, sets of rigid aeroplane wings spaced apart and projecting laterally from said hull at different parts lengthwise thereof, and a motor including propelling means supported by said structure.

2. A flying structure comprising a streamlineishaped inflatable bag, means controlled at the will of the operator for moving the top of the gas-bag inwardly at the forward part thereof and independently at ,the rearward part thereof, to depress said inwardly moved top in each of said parts of the gas bag lengthwise thereof in a ratio correspondv ing toits diameters, and means secured to the underside of the weight thereby.

3. A flying structure comprising an elongated inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of said bag, sets of rigid aeroplanewingssupported by and projecting laterally from said hull on opposite sides thereof and below said bag, each of said wings being spaced apart from another set of wings on the same side of the structure, each set com: prising a plurality of planes located one above another, and a motor including propelling means supported by each of said sets of planes.

4. A flying structure comprising an elongated inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of said bag, wings rigidly supported by said hull on opposite sides at the forward part thereof, each of said sets of planes including a plurality of planesarranged one-above another,

similar sets of elevating planes rigidly supbag for the support of sets of aeroplane l ported in a like manner at the after part of the structure and spaced from the forward set, and a motor includin propelling means supported by each of said sets of planes.

5. A flying structure comprising a streamline-shaped inflatable bag, a long rectangularly shaped hull comprising a rigid unitary structure permanently secured=tightly to the under side of said bag from the nose to the rear end thereof, said hull being enlarged by downwardly projecting extensions in the median part thereof, said extensions comprising an. integral part of said hull as to the entirety of the latter, and sets of rigid wings attached rigidly to said hull at points adjacent to both sides of said extension.

6. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured tightly to the under side of said bag, a plurahty of planes secured to and projecting laterally from said hull below the bag, other planes supported by the first mentioned planes and rising above the'bottom of the bag on opposite sides thereof, means for connecting the last mentioned planes with the bag, and propelling means supported by said structure.

7. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag streamline-shaped, a hull passed into close contact with the under side of said bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, means for moving the top of the bag inwardly at the forward part thereof by force applied substantially along its center line at the top to decrease the space within the forward part of the bag, and means for independently moving the rearward part of the bag inwardly by force applied substantially along the center line thereof at its top to decrease the space within the rearward part of the bag and to shift the gas for lengthwise balancing of the bags.

8. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, a narrow contraction web extending uninterruptedly along the inside of the upper part of the bag, the edge of said web bemg engrailed in the form of little parabola curves, and means attached to Various projecting points along .said edge to independently move different portions of said web with the top of the bag inwardly to decrease the space therein.

9. A flying structure comprising a streamline-shaped inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including ropelling means supported by said strucure, a continuous contraction web extending along the top of the bag substantially at its center and depending from the inside thereof, distributors arranged in the form ofparabola curves underneath said web at the forward and afterparts thereof, meansaaeaaes connecting said web and said distributors, and means for independently operating the distributors to pull said web with the top of the gas bag inwardly to decrease the s ace within the bag at different points a ong the bag.

10. A flying structure comprising an elongated inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, a contraction web in the form of a strip extending continuously along the top of the bag substantially at its center, distributors arranged in the form of parabola curves underneath said web, connections between said web and said distributors, and means attached to the points connecting said distributors to pull said web with the top of the bag inwardly independently at different points to decrease the space therein.

11. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, a contraction web extending along the top of the bag substantially at its center and depending from the inside thereof, distributors arranged one at the forward art, one at the after part and one at the mldsection of said bag underneath said web and in the form of parabola curves, connections between said web and said distributors, and means attached to the points connecting said distributors to operate them independently each gf the other for lengthwise balancing of th ag. I

12. A flying structure comprising a streamline-shaped inflatable gas bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, a narrow continuous strip comprising a. contraction web extending along the top of the bag substantially at its center and depending from the inside thereof, the edge of said web being engrailed in the form of small parabola curves,

each with its apex close to the bag, a dis-- tributor located underneath said web in the form of a large parabola curve, connections extending from each of the points formed on said web and attached to said distributor at different spaced points thereon, and means for operating said distributor to pull the top of the bag inwardly to depressthe top of said bag.

13. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, a contraction web extending along the top of the bag substantially at its center and depending from the inside thereof, the edge of said web being engrailed in the form of small parabola curves, a pluralit of distributors arranged in larger para la curves aeeaeee underneath said web, connectors extending between the points formed between the curves on said web and said distributors,

' and means for independently operating said distributors to pull the top of the bag inwardly to decrease the space therein.

14. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, a contraction web extending along the top of the bag and dependin from the inside thereof, distributors exten ing in the form of small parabola curves one at the forward part, one at the after part,'and one at the midsection of the structure, contractors attached at the points connecting saiddistributors at the rear part of the structure to means in said hull for operating said contractors, and contractors attached at the points connecting said distributors at the forward part of the structure and extendin to the contractor operating means in said hull, and means for independently operating said contractor operating means to pull the top of the bag inwardly to shift the gas for lengthwise balancing purposes 15. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, a narrow contraction web extending along the top of the bag and depending from the inside thereof, a plurality of distributors extending in the form of large parabola curves arranged symmetrically on both sides of the crosswise center of the bag, cords extending parallel to each other at equal distances between the contraction web and the said distributors, and means connected with said distributors to depress them each independently of another to shift the gas lengthwise of the bag for lengthwise balancing purposes. o

16. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, a contraction web extending along the top of the bag and depending from the inside thereof, means connected with'said contraction web to operate it to pull the top of the bag inwardly to decrease the space therein, and

stretching means connected to opposite sides of the bag to pull it outwardlyjn opposite directions and thereby depress the top of said bag.

17 A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to theun er side of the'bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, a contraction web extending along the top of the bag and depending from the inside thereof, a contractor extending froin said web to contractor operating means located in the hull, and

18. A flying structure comprising an in-'- flatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, stretching frames mounted on sup-ports attached to opposite sides of the ba at different points along its length, stretc ing cords attached to said frames and extending to the hull, and stretching mechanism to which all of said stretching cords are attached.

19. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, stretching cords attached to. opposite sides of the bag at different points along its length and extending within the hull, and stretching mechanism to receive all of said stretching cords to simultaneously operate them to stretch the bag at the sides and thereby depress its top.

20. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag, a motor including propelling means supported by said structure, stretching means secured to opposite sides of the bag and extending to said hull, and

21. A. flying structure comprising an in- 1 flatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, struts secured at one end to the top of the hull and extending laterally in opposite directions diagonally upward from said hull and attached to said bag on opposite sides thereof, and means connecting the outer ends of'said struts and said hull.

22. A- flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, struts secured at one end to the top of the hull and extending laterally in opposite directionsdiagonally upward from said hull and spaced at intervals along its length anti attached at their outer endsto said bag, and braces connected to the outer ends 0 said struts and extending. therefrom to the bottom of said hull to which they are secured.

- 23. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the underside of said bag and including longrons extendthereof at the top and on opposite sides thereof, struts pivotally attached to said longrons at intervals therealong and projecting in opposite directions ing lengthwise means rigidly diagonally upward and attached at their outer ends to said bag, and braces extending from the outer ends of said struts downwardly to the bottom longrons of the hull towhich they are secured.

24. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag,a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, struts extending laterally in opposite directions from. said hull, a yielding tension support extending lengthwise of said bag and loosely attached thereto for lengthwise movement thereon, means for attaching said support at intervals. therealong to said struts, and means connecting the outer ends of said struts with said hull.

25. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, struts extending laterally in opposite directions from said hull, a yielding tension support extending lengthwise around the bag and loosely attached thereto for endwise movement thereon, means for connecting said support with said struts at intervals along the support, and means to connect the outer ends of the struts withsaid hull.

26. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, struts extending laterally in opposite directions from said hull, a yielding tension support extending loosely within a pocket around said bag and projecting at intervals therefrom inthe form of loops that are se cured to the ends of said struts, and braces extending from said loops and attached to said hull.

27. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, struts extending laterally in. opposite directions diagonally upward from said'hull, primary supports rigidly secured to the bag, means for securing said; primary supports at intervals to the ends of said struts, and connecting the opposite ends of said struts to said hull.

28. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, struts extending laterally in opposite directions from said hull, primary supports in the form of parabola curves rigidly secured to said bag, means for connecting the points oining said curves to the ends of said struts, and means for rigidly connecting the ends of said struts with the sides of said:

hull.

29. A flying structure comprising an in flatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, struts extending laterally in opposite directions from said hull, yielding tension "of the'crosswise central line of supports loosely attached to the bag for movement lengthwise thereof, primary supports rigidly attached to said bag, means for connecting the primary supports 7 and the yielding tension supports both to the ends of each of said struts, and means for connecting the ends of said struts with said hull.

A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, struts extending laterally in opposite directions from saidhull, primary'supports arranged in the form of parabola curves and rigidly attached to the bag, a yielding tension support loosely attached to the bag and having loops engaging points at the intersection of the curves of the primary supports, said loops each being connected to the end of one of said struts, and means for connecting said struts to said hull.

31. A flying structure comprising an 1nflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of the bag and extending lengthwise thereof, members of a rigid bi-plane secured to and extending from the upper and lower longerons of said hull on opposite sides thereof, rigid planes supported on and above said bi-planes on opposite sides of thediull, and a motor including propelling means supported by said' structure.

32. A flying structure including an elongated hull, two sets of rigid bi-planes secured to said hull one in front and the other in the rear of the center of gravity of said hull and projecting in opposite directions therefrom, elevating bi-planes pivotally attached to the rear spars of each pair of rigid loi-planes and projecting behind the rear edges of said rigid planes, said pivoted elevating bi-planes being of substantially the same size and arranged symmetrically on both sides of said structure, and a motor in eluding propelling means supported on opposite sides of said hull byeach of said rigid bi-planes in position for the current of air created by said motor to be forced against said pivoted bi-planes.

33. Aflying structure comprising a streamline-shaped inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of said bag and extending lengthwise thereof, bi-planes rigidly secured to said hull at spaced locations thereon and projecting laterally therefrom in opposite irections, elevating bi-planes pivotally attached to the rear spars of each pair of rigid bi-planes and projecting substantially behind the rear edges of said rigid bi-planes, said pivoted elevating bi-planes being substantially equal in size and symmetrically arranged lengthwise in the front and rear gravity, and

a motor including propelling means supported on opposite sides of saidhull by each of said rigid bi-planes in position for the current of the air created by said motor to be forced against said pivoted bi-planes.

34. A flying structure comprising an elongated inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of said bag and extending lengthwise thereof, two sets of rigid bi-planes secured to said hull, one in front and the other in the rear and projecting laterally in opposite directions therefrom, elevating bilanes pivotally attached to the rear spars 0 each pair of rigid bi-planes and projectin substantially behind the rear edges of sai rigid bi-planes, said pivoted elevating bi-planes being all substantially equal in size and symmetrically arranged lengthwise and on both sides of the center of gravity of said flying structure, and a motor including propelling means supported on opposite sides of said hull by each of said rigid bi-planes in position for the current of air created by said motor to be forced against said pivoted bi-planes.

35. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of said bag, a rectangularly shaped frame extending laterally from the hull on opposite sides thereof at a distance from its end, each of said frames including a single upper and a single lower member, said members being connected by an upright at their outer ends, rudders pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on said uprights, and means for operating the rudders.

36. A flying structure comprising a streamline-shaped inflatable bag, a long rectangularly shaped hull secured to the under side of said bag, a U-shaped frame attached at both its free ends to said hull, wire bracing extending between members of said frame in a vertical plane, the outer upright member of said frame being wire braced to the hull in a horizontal plane, a rudder pivotally mounted on said u right member, and means for operating sai rudder.

37. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side of said he a set of planes rigidly securedto said hul and projecting laterally therefrom in opfiosite directions, another set of planes rigi y secured to said hull in spaced relation to the first set and projecting from the hull in opposite directions, a pair of rudders supported by said hull on opposite sides thereof forward of oneset of planes, "another pair of rudders supported by said hull on opposite sides thereof back of the other set of planes, and means for operating said rudders.

38. A flying structure comprising a streamline-shaped inflatable ba a longrectangularly shaped hull secured to the under side of said bag and extending from the nose to the rear end thereof, a set of rigid wings above said bottom, and means for concen trating weight of the motors on said wheel to prevent the transference of shock on said wheel to said motors through the medium of the wings.

39. A. flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, a hull secured to the under side.

of the bag, contracting means attached to the inside of the bag at its top and projecting downwardly through a hole in the bottom of said bag, a plate located outside of the bag and surrounding said hole, a plate located inside of the .bag and secured to the first mentioned plate to clamp the bag between said plates, and a stufling box structure rising from the plate within the bag and including a spirally formed member arranged to permit passage of said contracting means Without escape of gas from within the bag.

40. A flying structure comprising an inflatable ba means secured to the under side of the bag for support of. weight thereby, a contraction web extending from the inside of the bag and having its edge engrailed in the form of small parabola curves, and means attached at the points joining'said curves to operate said Web to pull diflerent positions thereof independently inwardly to shift the gas for lengthwise balancing.

41. A flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, means secured to the under. side of the bag for the support of weight thereby, a contraction web extending from the inside of the bag, distributors arranged in parabola curves opposite said web, means connected to the distributors and web, and contractors for independently operatin saiddistributors to pull the bag inwardly to shift the gas for lengthwise balancing purposes.

42. A: flying structure comprising an inflatable bag, means secured to the under side of the bag for the support of weight thereby, a contraction web extending from the inside of the bag and with its edge engrailed in the form of small parabola curves, distributors formed in larger parabola curves located 0 posite said web, means connectingthe points between the curves of the web and said distributors, and

means attached to the points between said therein in proportion to each of the varidistributors for pulling the bag inwardly. ous diameters along the whole length of 43. A flying structure comprising a the bag, and means secured to the under 10 stream-line shaped inflatable gas-bag, means side of the bag for supporting weight 5 controlled at the will of the operator for thereby.v

- moving the upper part of the bag inwardly I from opposite sides thereof to decrease space I JOHN TWARDUS. 

